The Gravity of Sunlight

by Rosa Shand

On the eve of Idi Amin's rise to power, a group of expatriates feels the political pressures, and one of them, Agnes, falls for a new arrival--a Polish gentleman she dubs the "Finn." Reprint.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Uganda

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book read for my Africa 2016 challenge, as I try to finish my project of reading a book from every country (2016 will complete Africa I hope!)

As I searched for books, this one stood out to me despite the fact that it is not a native author. It is 1971 in Uganda, just as the Asian residents are required to leave and others are leaving out of concern for safety, just as Idi Amin is taking control. The book actually backs up on those events but most of it takes place just before those events, in the countryside surrounding an international school where expats from several places are all living together and teaching.

Despite the broad historical setting, the primary story of the novel is that of Agnes within her marriage. Her husband insists that she should be able herself to will lifelong devotion to him, but she is easily drawn to other men. Agnes' struggles with fidelity are nicely contrasted by new conversions to evangelical Christianity happening around her, and a bit of judgment coming from the locals. There is also an interesting language element through her love interest, the Finn.

Book 3 of 2016

[F Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems to me that The Gravity of Sunlight follows in the path of novels featuring women protagonists trapped in their lives. Circumstances vary, but as I think about them, in every case, at least part of their challenges has to do with their being women, and the invented limitations on their sex.

I especially appreciated the prologues to the chapters, each of which provided context for both the chapter and the novel a whole. They help explain the seductive nature of environments different from those in which we have been raised.

Highly recommended.

[Arden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful writing, slow story, not much plot.

[Robert Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever there was a novel in which setting was the most compelling element, this is it. Rosa Shand is at her best when her narrative centers on Uganda at the time of the Amin coup. The characters--principally international residents caught up in these dangerous times--are well drawn, too, but it is Africa which drives this story. Line for line, Shard is a remarkably talented writer. The supposed "intoxicating sensuality" cited by one reviewer comes up a bit short for me. Apparently it works best if the reader buys into the myth of the Southern white women's secret yearning for a black man. Regardless, this is a very good read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummm...what to say...this is one of those novels that has a beauty in the writing, but the whole story made me uncomfortable. It took me a looooooooong time to finish it, and I'm not sure that reading it in the little spurts I did could give it justice. While I really wanted to like this book, for many reasons, I'm afraid that it just wasn't my style. Sensuality doesn't bother me, but I'm a prude, I guess, and don't like reading about infidelity.

SC writer.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Uganda in the 60s just before Idi Amin takes over. There is a lot of chaos surrounding the foreign community that they rarely see; it breaks in suddenly but never really affects them. But the main character, Agnes, creates chaos for herself by repeatedly having affairs, the latest being with a good new friend of her logical, repressed husband. Interesting book. Wonderful descriptions of living in Africa and the people around the main characters.

[Laurel Deloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Story of love and opportunity within beautiful descriptions of Africa.
Expatriates in Africa find themselves in morally ambiguous territory in this atmospheric tale of passion. Prizewinning story writer Rosa Shand makes an impressive debut with a novel lushly set in the tumultuous Africa of the 1970s. Agnes is a dissatisfied wife who has come with her husband, a... (learn more about this book)

[Terrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay - it's advertised as erotic - it wasn't. It's set in Uganda but I didn't "feel" it - I wanted more about the African setting and lifestyle. Basically it's about a bored & unhappy wife that is intrigued with and then falls for a married man. Nothing new there. I was hoping the African setting would provide an interesting backdrop or different take on the age-old story, but it didn't.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads a bit like a long, hot, humid dream. Shand did a nice job creating a sense of being an outsider, focusing on the white, foreign characters in Uganda during Amin's rise to power. Especially interesting after watching the movie, The Last King of Scotland. I was a bit tired at the end though - so much infidelity, so much heat...

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of expatriates living and teaching in Uganda; the main character is unhappy, or at least not in love with her husband, and becomes attracted to one of her husband’s colleagues. Woven throughout this story are the relationships with the natives, and the changes wrought by the ascension to power of Idi Amin.

[John Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel that reads like poetry, especially the way the author captures the light of Africa, the mood of expatriates in Uganda, and the complex dynamics related to mission and development work there. Every word is just the right word. It was a great pleasure to read from start to finish. The language itself made each page a marvel. Highly recommended.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought her writing was extremely visual and you were literally transported to Africa(Kampala Uganda) like one of the exotic paintings in the story. The story about relationships, is as messy and complicated as the political scene at the time. I kept wanting to know more about what would happen and about Africa itself. . .

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read fiction, but because I am read this book for a summer lit class, to my surprise, I liked it. The main characters are Agnes and Wulf and it takes place in Uganda...enough said. Read it.

[Nina Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a couple of years ago but loved the emotional dilemmas, the weight of making the "right chioces" in life and the love story in it.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptions of Uganda, kinda scandalous in the romance dept...total escape book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the setting of this book. Just a book I picked up, but a very strong sense of place.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel of an American family in Uganda at time of Idi Amin's takeover. Oct. 2008. Good. -- Good.

[Matthew Salesses · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://thelitpub.com/there-is-a-book-...

[Felicia Van Every · Rating 4 out of 5]

a poetic read and a great book to settle into.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erotic, sultry, romantic, and sensual.